By Monica Scotch:
District Commissioner for Mzimba, Emmanuel Bulukutu, has urged government officers and frontline workers to apply knowledge and skills gained through ecosystem management training to strengthen sustainable natural resource management in communities.
Bulukutu made the remarks on Tuesday during the opening of a four-day training on Ecosystem, Integrated Catchment Management and Landscape Approaches organised under the Ulimi ndi Chilengedwe (UCHI) project in Mzimba District.
He said the effectiveness of the training will depend on how participants use the acquired knowledge to address environmental challenges affecting communities.
“Training is only meaningful when the knowledge gained is put into practice. I encourage all participants to apply these skills in their work so that communities can benefit from improved management of natural resources,” said Bulukutu.
He observed that environmental degradation, deforestation and unsustainable land use practices continue to threaten livelihoods and ecosystems, making it necessary for stakeholders to adopt integrated approaches to natural resource management.
Speaking in an interview, UCHI Project Coordinator Alifeyo Mwankomwa said the training aims to equip stakeholders from different sectors with skills and knowledge required for effective ecosystem and catchment management.
He said participants were drawn from departments such as forestry, fisheries and water to strengthen coordination in environmental conservation and sustainable resource management.
“We want to ensure that officers and field staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills required for sustainable natural resource management. We expect participants to apply these approaches in their day-to-day work for the benefit of communities and the environment,” said Mwankomwa.
He added that strengthening the capacity of stakeholders in ecosystem and landscape management will contribute to improved environmental resilience and successful implementation of conservation initiatives.
The training forms part of the project’s efforts to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders involved in environmental conservation and sustainable natural resource management in the district.
